Gotas oftálmicas de brinzolamida para el glaucoma

About brinzolamide eye drops

Un aumento de presión dentro de su ojo puede provocar daño al nervio óptico en la parte posterior de su ojo. Cuando esto ocurre se llama glaucoma. Glaucoma can lead to a loss of vision if it is not treated. If you have an increased pressure within your eye but without any damage to the optic nerve, this is called ocular hypertension. People with ocular hypertension have an increased risk of later developing glaucoma. Treatment with eye drops such as brinzolamide helps to reduce eye pressure in people with ocular hypertension, and to prevent further eye damage in people with glaucoma.

Brinzolamide works by blocking the action of an enzyme called carbonic anhydrase. Blocking this enzyme reduces the amount of fluid that you make in the front part of your eye (called aqueous humour), and this helps to lower the pressure within your eye.

Sometimes, more than one type of eye drop is needed to keep the pressure in the eye low. If this is the case for you, you may be asked to use two different eye drops, or you may be given drops which combine more than one type. Brinzolamide is available as a combination eye drop with a beta-blocker called timolol (in a brand called Azarga®), and with a medicine called brimonidine (in a brand called Simbrinza®).

Before using brinzolamide eye drops

Some medicines are not suitable for people with certain conditions, and sometimes a medicine may only be used if extra care is taken. For these reasons, before you start using the drops it is important that your doctor knows:

• Si estás embarazada o amamantando.

• Si tienes algún problema con el funcionamiento de tus riñones o con el funcionamiento de tu hígado.

• Si usas lentes de contacto blandos.

• If you have a condition where your blood acidity is too high, called hyperchloraemic acidosis.

• If you are taking any medicines. This includes any medicines you are taking which are available to buy without a prescription, as well as herbal and complementary medicines.

• If you have ever had an allergic reaction to a medicine. It is particularly important that you tell your doctor if you have ever had a bad reaction to any other eye drops, or to a type of medicine known as a 'sulfonamide'.

How to use brinzolamide eye drops

1. Lávese bien las manos antes de usar las gotas.

2. Retire la tapa.

3. Tilt your head back a little and pull the lower lid of your eye out to form a pocket.

4. Sostén la botella boca abajo cerca de tu ojo. Intenta no tocar tu ojo mientras haces esto.

5. Apply enough pressure to the base of the bottle to release one drop into your eye. Only use a second drop if the first drop missed going into your eye.

6. Cierra el ojo durante uno o dos minutos y presiona suavemente el lado de tu nariz donde la esquina de tu ojo se encuentra con tu nariz. Esto ayuda a evitar que la gota se drene y la mantiene en tu ojo.

7. Repite el proceso en tu otro ojo si te han indicado usar las gotas en ambos ojos.

8. Coloca de nuevo la tapa.

Obteniendo el máximo de tu tratamiento

• Before you start using the eye drops, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from the pack. It will give you more information about the eye drops and will provide you with a full list of the side-effects which you may experience from using them.

• Use one drop into the eye (or eyes) affected. The drops are usually used two or three times each day, but your doctor will tell you how many times a day is right for you - your dose will also be printed on the label of the pack. Remember to use the drops at regular intervals and try not to miss any doses.

• If you forget to use the drops, put them in as soon as you remember, but do not 'double up' to make up for any missed doses.

• Tenga cuidado de no tocar la punta del gotero con su ojo, dedos o cualquier otra superficie. Esto es para evitar que las gotas se contaminen.

• Si estás usando otras gotas para los ojos, deja pasar 5-10 minutos entre la aplicación de cada una. Esto es para evitar que entre más líquido en tu ojo del que puede manejar. De lo contrario, las gotas se desbordarán de tu ojo y no tendrán el efecto deseado.

• Al aplicarse por primera vez, las gotas para los ojos pueden hacer que tus ojos lagrimeen y a veces causar visión borrosa. Si esto ocurre, debería aclararse rápidamente. Asegúrate de poder ver claramente de nuevo antes de conducir y antes de usar herramientas o máquinas.

• Do not wear soft contact lenses unless your doctor has advised you otherwise. This is because there is a preservative in bottles of eye drops which can affect soft contact lenses.

• Mantén tus citas regulares con tu médico y la clínica ocular para que se pueda verificar tu progreso.

• If you are having an operation or any dental treatment, remember to tell the person carrying out the treatment about any medicines you are taking or using.

Can brinzolamide eye drops cause problems?

Along with their useful effects, eye drops can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. The table below contains the most common ones associated with brinzolamide. You will find a full list in the manufacturer's information leaflet supplied with your drops. The unwanted effects often improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine, but speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following continue or become troublesome.

How to store brinzolamide eye drops

• Mantenga todos los medicamentos fuera del alcance y la vista de los niños.

• Almacenar en un lugar fresco y seco, lejos del calor y la luz directos.

• Eye drops in bottles only keep for four weeks once the bottle has been opened, so do not use the drops if the bottle has been open for longer than this. This will help reduce the risk of eye infections.

Información importante sobre todos los medicamentos